What is the best way to get rid of ants without using chemicals?
by
Cecilia
+13
I have 2 large ant hills on my back lawn. I tried a number of different home solutions last year to no avail. Has anyone tried something that worked? I would prefer not to use chemicals.
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Try applying food grade diatomaceous earth.
I don't use chemicals either. Just sprinkle some table salt on and around the ant hills and they will carry it inside the mounds and eat it and it will kill the ants. I also use salt to kill poison oak and ivy. Just sprinkle it on the bushes and at the base of them and it will kill them. My husband is allergic to them so that's how i got rid of them.
You can also put a line of baby powder around the house or mound. In the house, soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place in window sills.
I use a Natural insecticide:
5. Use boric acid.
Ants will not walk through lemon juice. If I see them inside I just make a wall of lemon juice where I see them coming in. I bet if you poured a cup of lemon juice around the hill it might do something.
I read that the only thing that gets rid of fire ants is DRIED MOLASSES. My garden center is odering it for me. It is powdered. Worth a try for sure. I also heard this on a AM weekend radio garden show.
I use grits. They eat the grits, swell up and die.
Pour boiling water over the mounds.
All the mentioned remedies sound good. Especially the diatomaceous earth. Really, it's ok if your dog eats it. It's ok if YOU eat it. If you want to start right this minute pour boiling water slowly down the hole. It may not get them all but you'll get. Head start before you attempt any of those mentioned. I'm not too convinced about the corn meal is a killer but hey, if the other responder says it works, give it a try.
Try pouring boiing water on the ant hill. This may take several attempts depending on the size of the hill
Sorry it did not work. My husband said to try dynamite. LOL.
Flour to smother them and vinegar to kill them.